I’m working with a buyer who wants to make offers on three properties at once. She said she will terminate two of the contracts when she decides which one she wants to buy. Is this ethical?
No laws or rules prohibit your buyer from making offers on more than one property at a time. Similarly, the Code of Ethics does not bar you from representing a buyer making simultaneous offers on multiple properties. If the buyer has a termination option for all three properties, she has the contractual right to terminate two or all three of the contracts within the termination option periods.
However, there is a risk involved that you may communicate to the buyer: If she does not pay any of the option fees within the time prescribed, it may be deemed that she does not have a valid termination option. In that case, she may not have the ability to terminate one or more of the contracts and could be obligated to purchase more than one property.
Great point regarding the termination option.
Well said!
I wouldn’t represent a client who wanted to place offers on multiple properties at once. May not be unethical, but it’s risky and not a good business practice.
I know an agent who did this for a condo. The original condo they wanted, the sellers wouldn’t accept their terms so they offered on the other condo in the same complex. They went under contract and the 1st sellers came back and agreed to their terms. They terminated their 2nd contract and got their original contract accepted.
I absolutely believe this practice is unethical. You are not being honest with the sellers. How is that OK? It may be legal … but it’s not ethical. My two cents …
How would anyone be qualified to get a mortgage for more than one property